VIRUS G BY DJ BILLYPHOBIA

THIEVES OF SILENCE

"Mannequin" EP

Formed back in Brussels four years ago, Thieves of Silence were first pressed to our consciousness by their self-produced EP "A Certain Ritual" in February 2011. It was a well-received debut release that pushed these four youngsters out from the shadows. In 2013, they released a second mini-album, "Mannequin", which definitely has confirmed them as a 'must follow' developing talent. Although the Belgians are not widely known yet, they are gaining ground in both the dark and the alternative realm through slicker, retrogressive sonic forms that successfully live up the spirit of the late '70s and early '80s. These words probably make you think of the current throwback-inspired invaders. Whereas it's clear that Thieves of Silence wave the nostalgia flag with cheekiness, it's also true that they possess the potential to become a true break-out group. Not coincidentally, this band has shared the stage with the likes of Gang Of Four, De Brassers, Citizens! and She Wants Revenge, to name just a few. Their music effectively blends drum machine grooves with stressed bass and jagged guitars. In addition, the mix is spiced with tons of vintage keyboards and vocals switching from depressive swagger to subdued paranoia. So, try not to move to the addictive rhythms of "Sharks, Everywhere", "Lines" or "More" and you will almost certainly fail. But not every track here is exclusively oriented to burn the dancefloor. Thus, you can find more ambitious titles such as "T.V.V.", with pounding beats and stark bass lines in the propulsion task, and an exciting duel of both ringing and flanger chords; "Second Trauma", which is built on soft cadences and sweeping keys, with coupled bass and guitar crackles holding sway over the structure until it leads into a whirlpool of jangling melodies and dissonances; or "Her Life With The Nocebo", powerful and hook-laden, featuring an irresistible Synth/Post-Punk driving and saw-like, bendy riffs tearing the cover of drones. Therefore, even if "Mannequin" may not be aimed to mark an innovative milestone in music, its nervy, bleached yet toe-tapping slice of (X)Wave will stay with you and you won't be able to get off your mind of it. Such coolly resinous its sound is.